ADMINISTRATORS of the stricken Liverpool discount retail chain TJ Hughes said they are willing to meet with union leaders after axing 116 jobs last Friday.

Shop workers’ union Usdaw condemned the closure, at short notice, of the chain’s Wavertree distribution centre.

National officer John Gorle demanded urgent talks, saying staff at the chain’s Liverpool headquarters and its 56 stores will be concerned following the redundancies.

A spokeswoman for administrator Ernst & Young told the ECHO: “We have not been formally approached by Usdaw regarding the redundancy of employees at the company’s warehouse, however, we met with their representatives earlier in the administration.

“We note that Usdaw represents employees at the warehouse and distribution centre and employees in 10 of the 56 stores and the joint administrators are available to engage with Usdaw on all matters affecting their members relating to the administration process.”